Job Title/Company
Associate Professor, Higher School of Transport „Todor Kableshkov“ – Sofia, Bulgaria
Qualifications
PhD in Railway Operating Reliability and Safety; MEng in „Technology, organization and management of railway transport”
Career
Nikolay worked as dispatcher at Rail Dispaching Center of the Bulgarian State Railways before he joined academia.
Why did you choose to work for the rail industry?
Railway industry is characterised by a high level of organization of all activities within its functioning and a variety of specific requirements relating reliability and safety of the transport process. That all offers a great number of opportunities to a young individual to prove in practice his or her research, organizational and managerial skills and abilities.
What inspired you at the time and what influenced your choice?
I had always wanted a career within transport field and in particular that associated with design of technology and organization of processes. The strict requirement regarding organization and safety of the traffic in railways was a kind of inspiration to my choice. Now being professor in railway technical exploitation, operating reliability and safety I have an unique opportunity to give my students my knowledge and experience, and in such a way help them in choosing their future job in railways.
How does it feel to be in the rail industry? Are your expectations fulfilled?
It is a great challenge to be involved in railway industry, especially in solving specific problems. Thus, I have very often real opportunities to apply my theoretical knowledge and practical experience in decision-making relating to one or another project.
What are the challenges?
Human factor is the great challenge to railway industry. The prosperous future of that industry needs well educated, knowledgeable, prepared to work hard within specific environment young people.
What is a talent? Why the rail industry should engage with talents?
Due to their innate personality characteristics certain individuals are inclined to get theoretical knowledge in specific area of railways and later apply it in a practical and most effective manner. Those are who can be named talents. Unfortunately, their number is scarce. Railways as a whole and particular institutions involved in that industry should do the best to find and give them opportunities to apply their abilities.
